Why did Kendrick Lamar win Pulitzer Prize? Artist became the first rapper to ever win the historic award in 2018

Kendrick Lamar delivered his performance during the halftime of the Super Bowl in New Orleans today, sparking renewed interest in his achievements. But more so, his Pulitzer Prize.

Lamar became the first non-classical or jazz artist to win the prestigious accolade for his music back in 2018, for his album DAMN. The album dropped in 2017, and as reported by the New York Times, at the time, it was hailed for its "raw storytelling, intricate lyricism, and social commentary."

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Everything to know about Kendrick Lamar's Pulitzer Prize-winning album DAMN.

Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. touched on all facets of being Black in America, including race, faith, identity, and struggles, while still allowing the artist's signature beats and rhythm to come through. Some of its most popular tracks include DNA, HUMBLE, and FEAR.

Per the New York Times, the Pulitzer Committee described the album as

“ a virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African American life.”

As reported by History, administrator Dana Canedy revealed that the decision to bestow the award to Kendrick Lamar was unanimous, noting that it was “a big moment for hip-hop music and a big moment for the Pulitzers.”

Matthew Trammel of Pitchfork said this of the album and of Lamar, as mentioned on the official Pulitzer website:

"Storytelling has been Lamar’s greatest skill and most primary mission, to put into (lots of) words what it's like to grow up as he did—to articulate, in human terms, the intimate specifics of daily self-defense from your surroundings. Somehow, he’s gotten better."

As for his performance at the Super Bowl earlier today, the rapper repeatedly toyed with his fans, all of whom were clueless about whether or not he would perform his Grammy-award-winning diss track, Not Like Us.

Eventually, Lamar, who also became the first solo rap artist to perform a halftime show at the Super Bowl, gave the fans what they wanted, but not before he dissed Drake one more time.

"I wanna perform their favorite song," he said at one point during the 13-minute set, before adding, "but you know they love to sue."

He then went on to deliver the heated lyric "Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young," while staring into the camera and wearing a massive diamond-studded pendant—a lower-case a.

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During the show, Kendrick Lamar also performed classics like Humble and DNA, both of which are from his Pulitzer Prize-winning album. He also delivered a live rendition of tracks from his latest album, GNX, alongside SZA and DJ Mustard, including Squabble Up.